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Many Colorado resorts offer upscale lodging options, but that does not make them luxury resorts. In fact, there are only three Colorado ski areas that deserve that distinction. True luxury resorts have at least one gondola, and have substituted most of their old, slow lifts for modern, high-speed chairlifts. They have state-of-the-art snow-making, grooming equipment and ticket-checking systems, and their cafeterias serve healthy and edible food. Ski-in/ski out lodging is a must.

Aspen Ski Resort

The glitterati playground called Aspen is known for its upscale lodging, dining and shopping venues. The resort is a popular celebrity-watching destination, but gaping at superstars is a waste of superb snow conditions. In fact, novice skiers are in danger of wiping out while celebrity watching. All of Aspen’s terrain is rated intermediate, advanced or expert. The snow gods favor Aspen's 7,945-foot base elevation and endow the resort with an annual average of 300 inches of snow. When the snow gods are uncooperative, the resort has snow-making capabilities for 210 acres of its terrain. Aspen's eight lifts, which include a high-speed gondola, service 76 trails and have an uphill capacity of 10,775 riders per hour. The Residences at the Little Nell are located next to the Silver Queen Gondola. These 2,000- to 4,100-square-foot three- and four-bedroom accommodations offer ski-in/ski-out access. There's a rooftop pool and hot tub. As of 2010, nightly rates average $810, and single-day lift tickets are priced at $96. Aspen Skiing Company P.O. Box 1248 Aspen, CO 81612 970-925-1220 Residences at the Little Nell 501 East Dean St. Aspen, CO 81612 888-843-6355

Vail Ski Resort

If size really matters, Vail is the king of luxury resorts. The 5,289-acre ski area was styled after an Austrian ski town and opened in 1962. The Vail Ski resort has over 150 lodging venues, countless upscale restaurants and shops and a 24-hour pharmacy. Vail receives an annual average of 348 inches of snow. It has snow-making capability for 390 acres. Its 33 lifts, which include a 12-person gondola, service 193 trails and boast an uphill capacity of 53,381 riders per hour. Vail is a member of the Vail Resorts family of ski areas, which is famous for its meticulous snow grooming. The resort grooms 1,300 to 1,600 acres of its terrain every day. There is terrain suitable for all levels of proficiency. Vail Cascade Resort and Spa offers ski-in/ski-out lodging at the base of Vail Mountain. Nightly rates range from $499 to $869 as of 2010, and daily lift tickets cost $98. Vail Ski Resort P.O. Box 7 Vail, CO 81658 970-845-2500 vail.com Vail Cascade Resort & Spa 1300 Westhaven Dr. Vail, CO 81657 970-476-7111 vailcascade.com

Beaver Creek Ski Resort

The Beaver Creek Ski Resort, also owned by Vail Resorts, opened in 1980. At 1,805 acres, it's smaller than Vail, but don't be fooled by the mountain stats. Much of Vail's extensive terrain is connected by long narrow cat tracks, which increases the overall size of the resort. This is not the case at Beaver Creek, whose wide open trails are what you would expect from a Colorado ski resort. The Beaver Creek Ski Resort management pays attention to every single detail. Outdoor escalators keep skiers safe from the icy sidewalks. "Greet and Seat" hosts, dressed in Western garb, use radios to help you locate an empty table in the cafeteria. As you get off the lift, mountain ambassadors are available to help you find the best trail for your terrain preferences and ability. Some trails are created for skiers of different levels, with one side exhibiting the famous Vail Resorts grooming, the other side left untouched for those who prefer the challenge of natural terrain. Mountain hosts greet skiers at the end of the day and offer them freshly made chocolate chip cookies. The Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa offers luxury ski-in/ski-out lodging. Nightly rates are between $699 and $1049 as of 2010, and daily lift tickets cost $96. Beaver Creek Resort P.O. Box 7 Vail, CO 81658 970-845-9090 beavercreek.com Park Hyatt Beaver Creek Resort and Spa 136 East Thomas Place, P.O. Box 1595 Avon, CO 81620 beavercreek.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/index.jsp

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About the Author

In 1999, Lisa Mercer’s fitness, travel and skiing expertise inspired a writing career. Her books include "Open Your Heart with Winter Fitness" and "101 Women's Fitness Tips." Her articles have appeared in "Aspen Magazine," "HerSports," "32 Degrees," "Pregnancy Magazine" and "Wired." Mercer has a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the City College of New York.

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